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Start with Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooter, then check the common blockers before trying manual repairs. The right steps depend on whether your PC runs Windows 11 or Windows 10 and on the exact error code shown in Settings.
Identify the problem before changing anything
Check whether the PC runs Windows 11 or Windows 10, and note whether the update will not download, will not install, or appears stuck during installation. If Settings displays an error code or update name, write it down exactly. A percentage that does not change is useful context, but by itself it does not identify the cause.
Back up important files before troubleshooting or using recovery options. Make sure you can sign in with an administrator account, connect the PC to power and the internet, and temporarily disconnect nonessential external devices such as storage drives and docks. Microsoft notes that a stable internet connection is crucial for downloading and installing updates. Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Windows 11
Microsoft’s current first step is to run the automated Windows Update troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Open Get Help, search for the Windows Update troubleshooter, and follow its prompts. It runs diagnostics and attempts to correct common problems. If it does not resolve the issue, Microsoft also lists this Settings route:
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- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Next to Windows Update, select Run.
- When troubleshooting finishes, restart the PC, then open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
Microsoft’s current instructions are in Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.
Windows 10
Microsoft also directs Windows 10 users to Get Help first. The legacy Settings troubleshooter is at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. Follow the prompts, restart if requested, and check for updates again.
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. The troubleshooter may still help diagnose an update issue, but it does not restore the ended support or security updates. Microsoft Support’s Windows update guidance.
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Make room for an upgrade
Low storage can prevent an upgrade. Microsoft’s undated guidance, checked October 7, 2026, says an upgrade requires at least 16 GB of free space for a 32-bit OS or 20 GB for a 64-bit OS; it notes that a USB drive may be needed for a PC with a small hard drive. These figures apply to upgrades, not necessarily to every routine update. Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.
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Clear the update cache only if simpler checks fail
Microsoft says corrupted files in the update cache can cause update errors. Clearing that cache is a manual step, so try the troubleshooter and basic checks first. If you proceed, follow Microsoft’s instructions carefully and delete only the contents of the specified cache folder:
- Press Win+R, enter
services.msc, and press Enter. - In Services, locate Windows Update, right-click it, and select Stop.
- In File Explorer, open
C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionand delete the folder’s contents—not the folder itself or other Windows files. - Return to Services, right-click Windows Update, and select Start.
- Restart the PC and check for updates again.
See Microsoft’s full procedure at Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.
Use the error code as a clue, not a diagnosis
Microsoft associates these codes with possible causes. Treat them as leads to investigate, not proof that a particular component is at fault; use the complete code to open Microsoft’s detailed instructions.
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| Error code | Possible lead from Microsoft | Useful next check |
|---|---|---|
0x8007000d |
Update files or cache may be corrupted. | Run the troubleshooter; if that fails, consider Microsoft’s cache-clearing procedure above. |
0x800705b4 |
The update may have taken too long or been interrupted. | Check power and internet, then retry after restarting. |
0x800f0922 |
Insufficient disk space or a problem with .NET Framework or another component. | Check available space and follow the error-specific guidance. |
0xC1900101 |
An incompatible driver may be involved. | Investigate drivers and follow Microsoft’s code-specific steps before retrying. |
0x80070005 |
Access denied or insufficient permissions. | Confirm you are using an administrator account and consult Microsoft’s detailed instructions. |
Microsoft’s error-code explanations and steps are on its Windows update troubleshooting page.
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Escalate only when the basic repair does not work
Uninstall a recent update if it triggered the failure
If the trouble began immediately after a particular update, uninstalling that update may help. Microsoft says this does not affect personal files or apps. Use Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, select the relevant update, and follow the prompts. This is a targeted rollback; it is different from resetting or reinstalling Windows. Microsoft Support: Recovery options in Windows.
Use the Windows 11 repair reinstall when available
Windows 11 may offer Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update. This option downloads a repair version of the last successfully installed operating-system update to repair system files and components. It may be absent on older Windows 11 versions or on work or school PCs managed by an organization. Check the recovery options and follow the on-screen prompts if it is available. Microsoft Support: Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows.
Roll back a version upgrade or reset Windows only as a last resort
If a problem started after upgrading to a new Windows version, Microsoft’s recovery guidance says the option to go back to the previous version is available for 10 days. Resetting the PC or reinstalling Windows is more disruptive: depending on the option chosen, apps, settings, or files can be removed. Review Microsoft’s recovery choices and their consequences before proceeding, and make a backup first. Microsoft Support: Recovery options in Windows.
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